ICAN/ATEX: What is the best way to maintan high traffic tile?

Many cleaning professionals visit the International Custodial Advisers Network (ICAN) Ask the Experts page for insight and, every business day, we deliver advice to better help you perform your job.

Thursday’s Question:

We have tile floors throughout the building where I work and the floors are looking awful in the halls, where much traffic occurs, as well as under lunch tables where the tile is mopped numerous times daily.

We have it on our weekly/monthly nightly cleaning that the floors are to be buffed once a month, but I have been informed that this should occur weekly (yes/no?).

I have questions about the difference between burnishing and buffing; I honestly know nothing about either.

We have approximately 80 families that enter our building and 80 children in the building 5 days a week.

What should our monthly floor cleaning be like? Buffing or burnishing and how often?

Thursday’s Answer:

Based on your description and estimated traffic, it would be unlikely that a reasonable shine and uniform appearance would last longer than two weeks.

Weekly burnishing would be ideal; but if the budget prohibits, then twice a month would be a major improvement.

There are a few things that will prolong floor appearances such as: adequate entry matting (a minimum of 5 feet, or 12-15 feet if possible) that is vacuumed daily, thorough dust mopping once a day or more often, and using a mild detergent or disinfectant accurately diluted that does not soften the floor finish.

You mentioned challenges under the tables. Have you considered protective nylon or felt chair and table leg tips?

Buffing is generally achieved by using a standard speed 175-300 rpm floor machine and a white or red pad.